• Miles Cunningham, Sina Azimi, and GuangZhu Zhang.
• Laboratory for Neural Reconstruction, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address: mcunningham@mclean.harvard.edu.
• World Neurosurg. 2019 Jul 1; 127: e1172-e1175.

ObjectiveThis video article describes and illustrates the function and application of the intracerebral microinjection instrument (IMI). This newly developed technology allows delivery of therapeutic agents within the human brain in complex 3-dimensional arrays using a single pass or minimal overlying penetrations through brain tissue.MethodsThe IMI uses a delivery microcannula with a reduced diameter that minimizes local trauma and is capable of delivering precise volumes of therapeutic agents to discrete brain substructures. The IMI also permits simultaneous recording of neural activity during the delivery procedure, enabling extreme precision using electrophysiologic mapping. Surgical planning software designed specifically for the IMI enables strategic placement of multiple injections.ResultsThis technology platform is presently being used successfully to deliver therapeutic stem cells to restore function in stroke patients.ConclusionsAdditional applications of the IMI include delivery of viral vectors for gene therapy, infusion of neurotrophic factors, targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, and delivery of antiretroviral medications.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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